Hosted by the municipality of Ordu and sponsored by Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Governorship of Ordu, Municipality of Ordu, Ordu University, Çevirmenin Notu Dergisi (Tranlator’s Note Journal), Kültürlerarası Şiir ve Çeviri Akademisi (Cross-Cultural Academy of Poetry and Translation) and Alamet-i Farika, the 1st International Ordu Festival of Literature has taken a start with a ceremony.

The Governor Orhan DUZGUN, the Mayor Seyit TORUN, President of DISK Suleyman CELEBİ, Provincial Police Chief Mehmet AVCI, Director of Culture and Tourism Erkan GULDEREN, Deputy Mayor Ozer KARADAG, Director of the Festival Sinasi TEPE, Graphics and Design artist Ugurcan ATAOGLU, nearly thirty poets and writers from Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Greece and various cities of Turkey and artlovers in Ordu participated in the ceremony at Tasbasi Culture Centre.

Giving a speech at the opening of the 1st International Ordu Festival of Literature, Director of the Festival Sinasi TEPE stated “Today, we’ve opened a new page in history. The Municipality of Ordu never closing theater curtains since 1964 will carry this festival even my grandchildren, too. I’ve spent all my life in Ordu apart from university, and teaching for two semesters and military service years. I’ve tried to make contributions to various activities by now. I do know this is also very important business. I pay back to the city I owe.” and read his poem called ‘Song od the Black Sea of Friendship’ (originally Karadeniz Dostluk Türküsü).

Participating in the festival from Romania and talking on behalf of the foreign writers and poets Niculina OPREA said "We have come together almost to celebrate the world in Ordu. We are here as if we were here to listen to the music of the water. The organizers of this festival made an opportunity for us to meet. It’s an opportunity for the recognition of our books and works. Maybe, we will take the ideas and beliefs about literature here with us. Make sure that we’ll have other festivals and studies in the future. I can tell you I'm one very lucky in this regard. In 2007 I was invited to the festivals in Paris. I would like to thank all those who organized and performed this literary activity, all the poets and writers. I did not sleep last night for the first time in my life but I am very happy; I met very nice people. I always love to meet new people in my life. Thank peace, love and the universe eternal. "

At the ceremony, speaking on behalf of Turkish writers and poets Sina Akyol said "I wish such municipality officers and their supporting organizations increases day by. I live in Urla having seaside of Izmir. In fact, we’ve come from various countries. We all have different identities, but a common basis; everybody has their own task based activities. More accurately, we write for not being satisfied with many things. Those who are pleased with their lives, real-life, the daily routines do not make any efforts to sit and write so we’re not pleased with life, the world’s routines and even ourselves. Therefore, we’ve come here to tell about our uneasiness, moodiness, angers and fights in different languages.”

Hosting the 1st Intertational Ordu Festival of Literature, Mayor of Ordu Municipality Seyit TORUN said “the 1st International Ordu Festival of Literature will be one of the most important milestones on the way of modernization and presentation of our city, which has hosted every area of art esp. theatre since the first foundation date,-in the large scope and Due to the fact that the excitement from the past will form one of the steps towards the goal- Ordu will be Capital of Art- by being transferred generation to generation and being moved to a much more advanced dimensions. Even if thought is summed up as art of explaining feelings and dreams orally or in writing in an effective and pleasant way, in fact it is possible to observe the concept of literature, which is very meaningful and broad, in every part of life of people in Ordu” by stating his happiness in organizing the 1st International Ordu Festival of Literature indicating the importance of given to art and artists, way of life of people in Ordu and their perspectives about life.

Having the last speech at the ceremony, the Governor Orhan DUZGUN started his speech with a quotation of famous German author, Goethe and “Goethe says that the decline in literature indicates a decline in the nation and the continuity of a society depends upon having strong bases in terms of literature as well. Therefore, one of the unique elements sustaining societies is emphatically literature. Even if the source material forming themes of literature are realities and life, these realities reach us in different ways like story, novel, poetry and so on. Moreover, teenagers’ interest in literature and art is a hot issue to work on; due to the fact that one of the indicators of the development is interest of society in literature and man of letters as well as literacy rate.” stated the Governor DUZGUN.

Explaining that City of Ordu is a dynamic city interesting in literature as well as other branches of art, the Governor Orhan DUZGUN said “the efforts transforming the literature constituting important milestones to development into an international fest is the most obvious evidence. I believe that the men of letters coming to Ordu from abroad and various cities of our country for the festival will make sparks on our children and youth who will be our future’s men of letters. İn addition, Ordu will be a great bridge from Black Sea to the other parts of the world and the festival will provide a major contribution to cultural tourism and introduction of Ordu.”

Stating that Literature is not just a discipline to be studied but also a power to have, the Governor Orhan DUZGUN thanked the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and other agencies contributing the organization of the 1st International Ordu Festival of Literature.

After the speeches, opening of the mixed group exhibition featuring photos, oil paintings, relief paintings and graphic designs co-organized by OFSAD and Ordu Society of Plastic Arts was executed with the participation of Governor Orhan DUZGUN, the Mayor Seyit TORUN and other guests.

The 1st International Ordu Festival of Literature literary will continue with culturel and artistic activities for 4 days.